WHAT ARE OPIOIDS ?

Opioids are chemical substances ( Drugs ) that are psychoactive. They alter mood, thinking, judgment, perception or other mental functions and are highly addictive. 
With their regular intake, the user becomes dependent on them psychologically and physically as manifest from any three of the following-

1. Craving -
Having repeated strong for the substances.

2. Loss of control -
In regulating their use of these substances.

3. Tolerance -
Needing progressively higher doses of substances to achieve the same effect.

4. Withdrawal syndrome -
Experiencing very unpleasant psychophysiological reactions upon abruptly stopping their use.

5. Salience - 
Neglecting alternative pleasures, interests, and responsibilities of life in favor of spending time on seeking, using or recovering from the effect of these substances.

6. Persistence -
With the use of these substances despite psychological or physical harm because of their use of depression, venous ulcers, HIV and other infections, etc.

WHAT ARE THE EXAMPLES OF OPIOIDS?

1.Crude opium (Afeem).
2.Poppy husk (Bhukki).
3.Poppy seeds (khuskhus) .

4.Heroin or smake.
5.White or simply Heroin.
6.Morphine.
7.Pentazocine (Fortwin).
8.Pethidine.
9.Buprenorphine.
10.Codeine in cough syrups such as Corex, earlier Phensedryl.
11.Tramadol. 
13.Dextropropoxyphene, Proxyvon, Spasmoproxyvon, Dexovon, etc.

WHAT ARE THE HARMS CAUSES BY OPIOID DEPENDENCE?

Individual –

·        Addiction.

·        Overdose. 

·        Health problems including several infections.

·        Academic/Work loss.

·        Financial loss.

·        Higher mortality due to a combination of factors including Overdose toxicity, Accidents, Infections, and other Medical reasons, Crime and other Antisocial consequences etc.

Family –

·        Family burden .

·        Disruption .

·        Marital discord .

·        Financial drain .

·        Social stigma .

Society-

·        Higher crime rates. 

·       Loss of productivity.

·        Social disruption.

State/Nation-

·        Blocked progress. 

·        Economic backwardness.

·        Instability.

·        General disrepute.